It’s hard to believe that I started writing this column some eight years ago.
In that time, I’ve met so many cool, interesting people, from creative types to number crunchers to visionaries. And I got a rare inside look of the fruits of your labor,vibrant businesses that took me beyond the beach.
I’ll always watch you guys, and no doubt remain inspired by your stories. But it won’t be fodder for this column, as this is my last one. I’ll be leaving as a Business Journal columnist to freelance, nurture my kids and share my own stories.
Michael Volpe, who comes from industry newsletter publisher Crittenden Research Inc., is taking over the column as the Business Journal’s new media and marketing reporter starting next week. I’m sure you’ll give him plenty to write about.
Entrepreneur Changes
Change continues to play out at Irvine-based Entrepreneur Media Inc.
The company, known for its Entrepreneur magazine, Web site and other publications, said it brought on two people as part of the reorganization of its editorial department.
Mike Werling was hired as managing editor overseeing the magazine and Web site. Megan Roy was brought on as design director in charge of print and online art and production.
The publication also recently got a new executive director, Charlotte Jensen.
Entrepreneur Magazine has seen turnover in the past several months as it works to overhaul the publication.
Plans include growing advertising and unveiling a redesign in January.
The moves come as the publication’s parent had been exploring a possible sale, which it backed out of at the end of July, according to Red 7 Media LLC’s Folio Web site.
The company reportedly had struck a deal with Austin Ventures of Texas and a Boston private equity firm for a sale that was said to be valued at less than $200 million.
But Peter Shea, Entrepreneur chief executive, called it off. He cited several reasons in a recent memo to workers, including not being ready to retire and that it’s a “very difficult market for buyout funds to raise debt financing at a reasonable multiple and percentage rate.”
Shea bought a majority stake in Entrepreneur in the late 1980s and is sole owner as well as chairman.
“The proposed sale of Entrepreneur Media was only contemplated because of a very good offer, not because the company is in any trouble,” Shea said in the memo, which was published on the Folio Web site. “In fact, we are debt free and have been for the past five years.”
Meanwhile, Entrepreneur has been working to overhaul its look under Amy Cosper, vice president and editor-in-chief. She replaced longtime editorial director Rieva Lesonsky, who left in April to start her own marketing company.
The publication also recently hired on a director of business development.
Neil Perlman, Entrepreneur’s president and chief operating officer, said the publication has been “making strategic changes as a company to be more effective, more efficient and more exhaustive in our efforts to serve our readers, advertisers and partners.”
In other news, the company is embroiled in a trademark lawsuit with Ernst & Young LLP over the use of the word “entrepreneur.”
Wakeboarding Footage
Irvine-based ChopShop has been on the road filming a series of wakeboarding events.
The shop went to nine locations across the country to shoot wakeboarders competing for the top spot in the King of Wake contest, where people can win a $25,000 prize.
ChopShop director Zach Lyons and producer Sean Osborne are filming and editing each high-definition episode, which will air on Fuel TV through the fall.
Vizio Olympics Push
Irvine-based Vizio Inc. just broke a media campaign promoting its sponsorship of NBC’s 2008 Olympic Games.
The company, which markets high-definition flat-panel televisions, hopes to get its name out and introduce a line of XVT TVs to the “massive audience” who are watching the event, said Jason Maciel, director of marketing.
